Insulating glass unit

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an insulating glass unit composed of at least two outer panes and of an edge connector which comprises a spacer profile. With the aim of reducing a relative displacement between the two outer panes under loading, it is proposed according to the invention that the spacer profile has two opposed contact faces which are connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer panes via an adhesive layer, wherein the spacer profile additionally has at least one articulated region which is designed in such a way that the two contact faces can be rotated at least partially in order thereby to reduce stresses in the adhesive layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insulating glass unit composed of atleast two outer panes and of an edge connection which comprises a spacerprofile.

Such an insulating glass unit is generally known in principle from theprior art. It comprises the two outer panes, a first outer panegenerally being arranged on the inside of a room, a house, a warehouseor a building in general, and a second outer pane being arranged on theoutside of the building. A thermally insulating gap is arranged withinthe two outer panes. The advantage provided by this gap is particularlythat of relatively high thermal and sound protection. The insulatingglass unit therefore forms the customary manner of glazing nowadays. Theedge connection normally consists of a metal or plastic hollow profilein which there is accommodated a desiccant for the function of dryingthe air enclosed within the gap of the insulating glass unit. Towardsthe outside there is also applied an additional silicone or polysulphideseal. In general, the edge connection does not perform a staticfunction. Under loading, the insulating glass unit behaves staticallymore or less like two outer panes. The spacers used to date, and alsothe sealing materials used to date, are not capable of connecting thetwo outer panes to one another in a shear-resistant manner to the extentthat the two outer panes can be supported without visible supportingprofiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on this problem, the object of the present invention is to developan insulating glass unit of the type mentioned at the outset to theeffect that the insulating glass unit has a self-supporting structure,with the result that visible supporting profiles intended for supportingthe insulating glass unit can be dispensed with or at leastsignificantly reduced.

To achieve this object, it is proposed according to the invention that,in the case of an insulating glass unit of the type mentioned at theoutset, the spacer profile has two opposed contact faces which areconnected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer panes via an adhesivelayer, wherein the spacer profile additionally has at least onearticulated region which is designed in such a way that the two contactfaces can be rotated at least partially in order thereby to reducestresses in the adhesive layer.

The advantages which can be obtained with the solution according to theinvention are obvious. The spacer profile is made of a high-strengthplastic material, in particular a glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. As aresult, use is advantageously made of a material which has a relativelylow thermal conductivity yet possesses high strength. A furtheradvantage lies in the coefficient of thermal expansion; this is verysimilar between glass and glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. This isimportant since only small additional forces, if any, then occur here asa result of different longitudinal elongations.

The spacer profile can be attached either by means of correspondinglyhigh-strength adhesives or by means of high-strength composite films.The high-strength adhesive or the high-strength composite film canconsist, for example, of a polymer, e.g. polyvinylbutyral, ionoplast(polymer), a partially crystalline thermoplastic or some other materialwhich has the required adhesive strength, durability and thermalstability. The ionoplast polymer in particular offers particularly highstrength values here. The connection of the spacer profile to the outerpanes makes it possible here to achieve a virtually monolithicload-bearing behaviour of the edge region. Although a few high-strengthadhesives are already available for the facade region, adhesive bondingin the edge region is only possible if the profiles used there aretailored to these specific requirements.

In the edge region of the panes there occur large angular changes at thecontact faces particularly as a result of climatic loads. Depending onthe stiffness of the adhesives and of the spacer profile, this leads toa greater or lesser degree of clamping, and hence to high tensilestresses at the edges of the adhesive bonds that can lead to theadhesive bonding being overloaded.

In one possible embodiment of the inventive solution, use is made of atough elastic epoxy resin-based two-component adhesive. Such adhesiveshave, in relation to the adhesive surfaces, a tensile shear strength ofat least 10 N/mm² and their modulus of elasticity under short-termloading is greater than 1000 N/mm². It goes without saying, however,that other adhesives or adhesive types are also suitable.

In order to reduce the tensile stresses to a reasonable level here, itis necessary for the spacer profile to be designed in such a way that itoperates as an articulation which is rigid in shear. In this respect,the spacer profile has two opposed contact faces which are designed witha relatively uniform thickness so as to produce there as uniform aspossible a stress characteristic in the adhesive layer. Furthermore, thespacer profile has at least one articulated region which is designed insuch a way that the two contact faces can be rotated at least partiallyrelative to one another. The axis of rotation of the articulation herepreferably corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the profile. Thearticulated design makes it possible for the outer panes to be able torotate with respect to one another as a consequence, for example, ofclimatic loads without high stresses thereby resulting in the spacerprofile and in the adhesive layer. Experience has shown that the higheststresses then arise in the region of the articulation. The proposedmaterial of the spacer profile can absorb these stresses withoutproblem. This arrangement ensures that the stresses decrease in theregion of the contact faces and the loading on the adhesive is therebyreduced.

The spacer profile can have a one-piece or multi-part design. In thecase of a two-part spacer profile, composed of a first region and asecond region, these regions are adhesively bonded to one another with ahigh-strength adhesive via an adhesive bond. Alternatively or inaddition, the first region and the second region can be connected to oneanother by means of at least one mechanical connecting part. Here, theat least one mechanical connecting part may comprise a screw, a pinand/or a clamping strip. The spacer profile may be designed as anarticulation so as to be able to rotate about an axis or a point or as ataper, with the result that the contact faces can be rotated at leastpartially relative to one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the first region and the second region areeach designed as a profiled spacer element having an L-shapedcross-sectional geometry. Each of the profile spacer elements has afirst leg and a second leg. The two first legs of the profile spacerelement extend parallel to one of the two outer panes and are connectedin a shear-resistant manner to the outer pane. The second leg of thefirst profile spacer element extends parallel to the second leg of thesecond profile spacer element, and the two second legs are connected atleast in certain regions. An articulated region is in each case formedin the region of connection of the two legs of each profiled spacerelement.

The spacer profile can also be configured in such a way that one or moredesiccants are integrated in one or more cavities of the profile. In afurther embodiment, each of the desiccants can also be accommodated inan additional desiccant profile. However, standard commercial spacerprofiles containing desiccant can also be incorporated.

Preferably, an additional profile constituting an interlayer between thecontact faces of the spacer profile and the outer panes is fastened toat least one of the two outer panes using a transparent adhesive or atransparent film.

To obtain increased thermal insulation, at least one further pane or asheet can be arranged in the gap between the two outer panes in order toform a first and second pane gap.

Furthermore, it is conceivable for a pressure-equalizing means to beprovided in the case of an insulating glass unit which comprises twoouter panes and a further pane or sheet. Here, the further pane or sheetis designed to be flexible at least in certain regions. In one possibleembodiment of the pressure-equalizing means, there is provided at leastone capillary tube which, for the purpose of pressure equalization,connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere. Alternatively or inaddition to this, it is conceivable for at least one membrane, inparticular an air-permeable but water-impermeable membrane, to beprovided in a duct which, for the purpose of pressure equalization,connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an insulatingglass unit according to one embodiment of the invention, where thepressure in the gap between the two outer panes is substantiallyidentical to the external pressure;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment represented in FIG. 1 when the pane gap issubjected to climatic loading;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an edge region of an insulatingglass unit according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an insulatingglass unit according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an insulatingglass unit according to a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an insulatingglass unit according to a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The insulating glass unit 1 according to the invention is composed of atleast two outer panes 2, 3 and of an edge connection 4 which comprises aspacer profile 5. The spacer profile 5 is made of a high-strengthplastic and has two opposed contact faces 12. The spacer profileadditionally comprises at least one depression 14. The two contact faces12 are connected in a shear-resistant manner to the respective innersides of the two outer panes 2, 3. For this purpose, it is conceivableto provide an adhesive layer 11 which brings about this shear-resistantconnection between the spacer profile 5 and the outer panes 2, 3.

If the pressure in the gap between the outer panes 2, 3 increases, forexample as a result of heating through solar radiation, then—as can beseen in particular from the representation in FIG. 2—the two contactfaces 12 of the spacer profile 5, arranged parallel to one anotherbeforehand, rotate with respect to one another. This is possible since,with the solution according to the invention, the spacer profile 5 hasat least one articulated region 13 which is designed in such a way that,when subjected to the climatic loads, the two contact faces 12 can berotated at least partially relative to one another, with the axis ofrotation corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the spacer profile 5.In the embodiment of the insulating glass unit 1 represented in FIGS. 1and 2, two articulated regions 13 are provided.

In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4, use is made—by contrastwith the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 and 2—of a spacer profile 5which is composed of a first region 5 a and a second region 5 b. In theassembled state, the two regions 5 a, 5 b are connected to one anotherin a shear-resistant manner.

This takes place, for example, via an adhesive bond 15 obtained with ahigh-strength adhesive. In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4,it is possible for the individual regions 5 a, 5 b to be adhesivelybonded first of all to the outer panes 2, 3, after which the regions 5a, 5 b are connected to one another. This has the advantage that whenthe regions 5 a, 5 b are being adhesively bonded first of all to theinner faces of the outer panes 2, 3, they are accessible from all sidesand consequently any escaping adhesive residues can still be removed.

As has already been indicated, it is conceivable in the case of theembodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the two regions 5 a, 5 b tobe connected to one another with a high-strength adhesive via anadhesive bond 15. However, the regions 5 a, 5 b can also be connectedmechanically to one another with the aid of screws, pins and/or clampingstrips. The shear strength of the regions 5 a, 5 b is achieved eitherthrough the adhesive bond 15 alone, but can also be obtained throughadditional mechanical connecting parts 16. The depressions 14 present inthe regions 5 a, 5 b can also be used for the fastening of retainingelements.

In the case of a normal insulating glass unit, it is known practice forthe pane gap to be hermetically sealed. The air or the gas in the panegap is kept as dry as possible by means of a specific desiccant 10. Thisis necessary to ensure that, when there is a change in temperature, inparticular if the outer pane cools towards the outside, no condensationoccurs on the inside. The spacer profile 5 can also be configured suchthat one or more desiccants 10 are integrated in one or more cavities ofthe spacer profile 5. In a further embodiment, each of the desiccants 10can also be accommodated in an additional desiccant profile 9.

The desiccant 10 can be held in the desiccant profile 9 via adhesivespots 21. However, it is also possible for standard commercial spacerprofiles containing desiccant 10 to be incorporated. In a furtherrefinement (FIG. 4), yet additional profiles 19 can be inserted forvisual reasons between the regions 5 a, 5 b and the glass panes 2, 3.This is the case if transparent adhesives are employed and the outerpanes 2, 3 do not have an imprint in the region of the edge connection4. Here, the spacer profile 5 or the regions 5 a, 5 b are then visiblethrough the outer panes 2, 3.

However, it would be desirable for various applications if the visibleregion of the edge connection 4 could also be embodied in differentcolours or structures. This is implemented as follows:

Between the spacer profile 5, or the regions 5 a, 5 b, and the outerpanes 2, 3, an additional flat profile 19 is adhesively bonded by meansof a transparent adhesive 20. The profile 19 may be embodied with one ormore folded-over portions. This makes it possible to improve theappearance and the handling of the profile 19. The profile 19 can beproduced from various materials, or it can be embodied in allconceivable colours. By virtue of the transparent adhesive 20, thematerial or its colour is visible through the outer panes 2, 3. Thetransparent adhesive 20 of the additional profile 19 on the outer panes2, 3 can be embodied as a transparent UV-curable or two-componentadhesive. The thickness of the additional profile 19 is selected as afunction of the material used such that the stresses which occur as aresult of different thermal expansions are as small as possible and canbe absorbed by the adhesive bonding.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. Here, an insulating glass unitla is embodied with a total of two outer panes 2, 3 and one single pane22 which is arranged between the outer panes 2, 3. The thicker glassstructure which now results means that the stiffness of the insulatingglass unit is significantly increased again. Furthermore, such a glassstructure having two gaps also has heat-related advantages besides. Infurther refinements, the regions 5 a, 5 b can additionally be embodiedwith additional webs which not only increase the stiffness of theinsulating glass unit but can also be used as a structural element. Afurther embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. An insulating glass unit 1 bcomprises two outer panes 2, 3, with at least one further pane or asheet 22, 32 being arranged in a gap defined by the two outer panes 2, 3for the purpose of forming a first and second pane gap 30, 31. Thefurther pane or sheet 22, 32 is designed to be flexible at least incertain regions. A spacer profile 5, which is arranged between the twoouter panes 2, 3, has a first region 26 and a second region 27 which canbe connected or are connected to one another in a shear-resistant mannerin certain regions. The first region 26 and the second region 27 of thespacer profile 5 are each designed as profiled spacer elements having anL-shaped cross-sectional geometry. Each of the profiled spacer elementshas two legs 26 a, 26 b; 27 a, 27 b. An articulated region 13 is formedin each case in the region of connection of the two legs 26 a, 26 b; 27a, 27 b of each profiled spacer element. A first leg 26 a, 27 a of eachregion 26, 27 extends parallel to one of the two outer panes 2, 3 and isconnected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer pane 2, 3. A secondleg 26 b of one region 26 extends parallel to a second leg 27 b of theother region 27 and is connected thereto at least in a region 28. Apressure-equalizing means is provided at least for one of the two panegaps 30, 31, with at least one pressure-equalizing tube 29, inparticular capillary tube, being provided, and/or with at least onemembrane, in particular an air-permeable but water-impermeable membrane,being provided in a duct 29, which means, for the purpose of pressureequalization, connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere.Furthermore, one or more desiccants 10 can be integrated in one or morecavities in the pane gaps 30, 31 and be retained via adhesive spots 25.In addition, the desiccant 10 can also be held in a desiccant profile 9.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and can beembodied in further configurations. Furthermore, it should be pointedout that the pressure-equalizing means can also be used in theembodiment of FIG. 5 or in an insulating glass unit which comprises twoouter panes 2, 3 and at least one pane or sheet.

1. Insulating glass unit composed of at least two outer panes and of anedge connection which comprises a spacer profile, wherein the spacerprofile has two opposed contact faces which are connected in ashear-resistant manner to the outer panes via an adhesive layer, whereinthe spacer profile additionally has at least one articulated regionwhich is designed in such a way that the two contact faces can berotated at least partially in order thereby to reduce stresses in theadhesive layer.
 2. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, whereinthe spacer profile has a first region and a second region which can beconnected or are connected to one another in a shear-resistant manner.3. Insulating glass unit according to claim 2, wherein the first regionand the second region are adhesively bonded to one another with ahigh-strength adhesive via an adhesive bond.
 4. Insulating glass unitaccording to claim 2, wherein the first region and the second region areconnected to one another with the aid of at least one mechanicalconnecting part, and are in particular connected to one another in apositive-locking manner.
 5. Insulating glass unit according to claim 4,wherein the at least one mechanical connecting part comprises a screw, apin and/or a clamping strip.
 6. Insulating glass unit according to claim2, wherein the first region and the second region are each designed asprofiled spacer elements having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry,wherein each of the profiled spacer elements has two legs.
 7. Insulatingglass unit according to claim 6, wherein an articulated region is ineach case formed in a region of connection of the two legs of eachprofiled spacer element.
 8. Insulating glass unit according to claim 7,wherein a first leg of each region extends parallel to one of the twoouter panes and is connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outerpane.
 9. Insulating glass unit according to claim 6, wherein a secondleg of one region extends parallel to a second leg of the other regionand is connected thereto at least in certain regions.
 10. Insulatingglass unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one further pane or asheet is arranged in a gap defined by the two outer panes in order toform a first and second pane gap.
 11. Insulating glass unit according toclaim 10, wherein the further pane or sheet is designed to be flexibleat least in certain regions.
 12. Insulating glass unit according toclaim 10, wherein a pressure-equalizing means is provided for at leastone of the two pane gaps.
 13. Insulating glass unit according to claim12, wherein there is provided at least one pressure-equalizing tube, inparticular capillary tube, which, for the purpose of pressureequalization, connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere. 14.Insulating glass unit according to claim 12, wherein at least onemembrane, in particular an air-permeable but water-impermeable membrane,is provided in a duct which, for the purpose of pressure equalization,connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere.
 15. Insulating glassunit according to claim 1, wherein the contact faces of the spacerprofile are adhesively bonded to the outer panes with a shear-resistanttwo-component adhesive.
 16. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1,wherein the contact faces of the spacer profile are adhesively bonded tothe outer panes with a shear-resistant ionoplast polymer.
 17. Insulatingglass unit according to claim 1, wherein the spacer profile isconstructed from a high-strength glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. 18.Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the axis of rotationof the articulated region extends parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe spacer profile.
 19. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1,wherein there is additionally provided a desiccant which is arranged ina cavity inside the spacer profile or adjacent to the spacer profile.20. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein an additionalprofile constituting an interlayer between the contact faces of thespacer profile and the outer panes is fastened to at least one of thetwo outer panes using a transparent adhesive or a transparent film.